Hummingbird Information

Guest Author - Lisa Shea

Hummingbirds are many birders´ favorite birds. They´re tiny and cute, have little wings that beat at an amazing speed, can hover, fly backwards, and love nectar. Hikers can often hang little nectar feeders at campsites and have flying companions to keep them company.

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris male has a bright red throat and green body. The female is green all over, with a white breast. This is the only hummingbird typically seen on the east coast, and ranges from Canada to Mexico. It is around 3.5" long and loves nectar and nectar-produces flowers.

The Rufous Hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus, is the only north American hummingbird with a brown back. The male is grown with a red neck, while the female is green with tips of brown in her tail feathers. They range from the Washington area through the Rockies. They might occasionally stray down into the Florida area.

While I do have hummingbirds in my back yard in the summer, these photos were taken at the San Diego Zoo in their Hummingbird Aviary. You can walk in with the hummingbirds!! If you haven´t been there, and you like hummingbirds, this is definitely a trip for you.